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仍然wondering what this Internet thing is? Probably not, but alot of consumers are. Here's hoping they consider joining therest of the world by signing up for a class offered by PC ProfessorHoward Fellman, 34, became the first PC Professor when he beganteaching computer training in Boca Raton, Florida, in 1989. Whenhis tech-minded brother Steven, 32, came on, they expanded thebusiness to include certified repairs. Youngest brother Robert, 24,joined them in 1995, adding his knowledge of advertising. Their newbusiness model produced more sales in one month than Howard made ina year teaching.
Offering courses from basic computing skills to certificationcourses, the Fellmans have relocated several times to accommodatetheir growing number of classrooms. They began franchising in 1997,and they've expanded to include 52 employees- 18Microsoft-certified technicians- two company-ownedlocations.
The Fellmans are now looking to spread their model throughnationwide franchising. Start-up costs are $200,000, but the mainrequirement for prospective franchisees is that they espouse theFellmans' belief in high-quality customer service. Whetherit's no-charge service consultations when they can't fixyour computer, free refresher courses or free practice time fortheir students on Fridays, PC Professor always has customer servicein mind. It must run in the family.
